“Allah makes the way to Jannah easy for him who treads the path in search of knowledge.” [Saheeh Muslim]

The first meaning of path is a path that one walks on, such as when people leave their home to any location to gain knowledge.  The specific destination does not restrict the meaning.  Thus, the meaning includes a person traveling to a masjid, school, university, or any other location where knowledge is being dispensed. This meaning also includes a student of knowledge traveling from his city to another city to seek knowledge as the first meaning includes anyone literally ‘treading’ a path (stepping the steps on a path) towards knowledge.

A secondary meaning of path is defined as a process by which an individual seeks knowledge from scholars and books. Therefore, treading a path is not contingent on the actual movement of an individual-for example, one who investigates rulings without leaving his city or attends classes with scholars is indeed treading a path in search of knowledge according to this definition.

In summary, “treading on a path” is categorized into two primary definitions:
a)      Physically walking upon a path.
b)      Intention to connect oneself to knowledge, irrespective of ones physical state.

Whosoever treads this path, Allah subhana wa ta’ala facilitates for him a path to Paradise.   This is due to the significance placed on learning knowledge of the Shariah (Islamic Law), which enables an individual to understand the rulings that Allah has sent down. With this type of knowledge, both prohibitions and commands can be understood in there proper light, identifying the path that pleases Allah, and connect oneself with Paradise.  This connection will manifest itself in the obedience of Allah in ones life, and every time the desire for treading on the path increases, so too will ones connection with Paradise.

In this hadith, describing the fruits of the path to gaining knowledge, we learn that it is critical to take advantage of the opportunity to seek knowledge, specifically in times of our lives when we may be free from other difficulties. If the goal is to tread a path to your Lord by seeking knowledge, the efficient student would take heed before the obstacles of life litter his path (and distance his goal).

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Advising a Muslim of His Faults

If a Muslim sees a shortcoming in another Muslim’s deen, then he should not point him out in public in front of others and make apparent to other’s his shortcoming(s). This is not the correct etiquette in dealing with one’s brother in deen and giving him advice. The Muslims are suppose to try and increase love and harmony between each other but such attitudes only cause disharmony and enmity between Muslims in the community. Rather, it is a way of putting one’s brother or sister down in front of others and degrading them from respect and labeling them with bad attributes. This hurts the honor and position of a Muslim in the community and in particular in front of those Muslims amongst whom he is ridiculed. And the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is reported to have said when asked which believer in Islam is most excellent that, “One from whose tongue and hand the Muslims are safe” (Muslim). When finding faults in other Muslims, a Muslim should keep some of the following points (amongst others) in mind:

Be aware of the differences of opinion – It is well known that the scholars of Islam differed on many issues of the deen, which resulted in many differences of opinion among them. It may be that the brother/sister follows an opinion that views that action as permissible. Or maybe he follows the opinion that the action is not obligatory but rather just recommended. So the Muslim should think about this before trying to criticize his brothers and sisters. And he should research thoroughly to make sure there are not any other valid opinions on this matter before opening one’s mouth.

Ignorance of the ruling – It may be that he/she is ignorant of the ruling that it is prohibited. It may be that the knowledge and the evidence regarding that particular action being prohibited never reached the individual. So, rather than openly criticizing other Muslims, one should take the possibility that his brother in the deen may be ignorant of the ruling, which is a valid excuse.

Weakness in one’s faith – It may be that that brother or sister is just weak in faith. And it may be that he/she is under certain circumstances, problems, concerns, etc. which one may not be aware of. We are not in their shoes and are not aware of the circumstances in their lives and why they are choosing to do a certain prohibited action. It may be that he/she feels bad in their heart but are not currently able to leave that prohibition either due to weak faith, certain circumstances, problems, and other possible scenarios. So a Muslim should always give his brother or sister the benefit of doubt before judging them.

Advise with wisdom – If a Muslim really feels that he would like to give advice to his brother or sister regarding a prohibited action, then it should be done with wisdom. He should not call him out in front of others and put them on the spot. Rather, there are certain etiquettes in prohibiting evil in others. Of these etiquettes is that you take him to a separate location and talk to him in secret and advise him with love, care, and kindness. It is not appropriate to point people out in public with regards to their faults and is usually only done by the ignorant. The people of knowledge do not do this nor do they advise others to do so. Rather, they take people to the side and advise them in privacy or advise in a general manner to everyone not specifying who they are referring to. Because this is the proper etiquette when advising your brothers and sisters in Islam. Another etiquette is that you advise them at appropriate times and places. A Muslim should look for the appropriate time and place to advise his brother. For example, it is not appropriate to advise them when they are in a hurry to leave your company due to an important matter. So, the point here is that it should be done with wisdom and a Muslim should try to seek the appropriate manner, time, and place to advise his brother in Islam.

And Allah Knows Best.

The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said in a well-known hadeeth, “A person will be with whom he loves.” [Bukhari] Companionship, as we learn from the Qur’an, can help one attain success in the hereafter or bring them great loss.

The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam stated that loving for the sake of Allah is one of the three ingredients needed for the slave to taste the sweetness of emaan [Bukhari], showing us the elevated status and the magnitude of the blessing of loving for the sake of Allah Alone. This bond of the believers is so strong that Allah declares friendship on the Day of Judgment will only be for the Muttaqoon. [Surah Zukhruf]

On the other hand, Allah gives the example of a person who took an evil companion in the dunya and will cry with regret on the Day of Judgment. [Surah Furqan]

In this talk  which was given a few months ago at MCC (Muslim Community Center) in Maryland (and was recorded by a special Nurayn “pearl” ), Br Nouman discusses in detail the types of friendship found in the Qur’an and the importance of company.

Listen and download it here – jazakum Allahu khayran to HalalTube for posting it for Qabeelat Nurayn.

May Allah grant us righteous companionship and allow us to be in the company of His Prophet and the believers on the Day of Judgment.

On the splendid occasion of young Maryam and Ali’s memorization and reading of the 30th chapter of the Glorious Quran, their parents would be honoured with your presence at Masjid Al Muminoon this Friday at 8 pm, insha Allah.

On Friday, eight-year-old twins Maryam and Ali will have one of the most splendid experiences of their lives.  She’ll get to wear that pretty princess dress Mama bought for her.  She’ll have flowers in her hair, and ice cream cake on her plate.  He’ll look like an Arabian prince in white thowb and shiny shoes.  They’ll play with the balloons and laugh with their friends.  Abu says that it is reward for a job well done, masha Allah.  The siblings did work hard, but the time invested and constant repetition was so worth it.  Best of all, Maryam feels that she is a good Muslim girl and Ali feels like he is a good Muslim boy and Allah will give them great reward!

Fast forward a decade or two:  Maryam and Ali wonder where the excitement of that night so long ago has gone?  They know the surahs still, constantly repeat them (especially the shorter ones) in their prayers, but it’s an exercise in automation.  Each of them wants desperately to reconnect with their inner para party child.  They want to live it once again.   But they aren’t eight year olds anymore.

They need the grown up version of a Quran Party.

Maryam and Ali need to be touched by an angel.

The Seminar that Launched it All

It’s time to Open the Vault
on the Classic

Touched By An Angel
Tafseer Juz’ Amma

Shaykh Shpendim Nadzaku

NEW Location:
National 4H Youth Conference Center
7100 Connecticut Ave. Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Dates: January 8-10 and 15-17

ENROLL NOW!

We welcome you to an unforgettable event, a weekend etched unto the pages of history as a revolutionary gathering that revitalized your eman and gave your soul a rush, inshaAllah. IlmFest 2009 is proudly hosted by Qabeelat Nurayn in Baltimore, MD.

Prepare yourself to experience a life-changing event that will leave you in tears and make you refocus your life so you can taste the sweetness of your Islam and eman, insha’Allah! Walk away with endless of lessons helping you change your life to help spread this deen and live it to the fullest.

Sit and learn from the some of the greatest scholars, thinkers and intellectuals of our age. You’ll leave the weekend with priceless ilm, lessons, ideas that you can practically apply in your life and share with your communities. Absorb knowledge that will equip you to spread the light of Islam to the best of your ability, learn the facts and the history that will demonstrate Islam is for all ages and times, and increase your understanding so you can effectively relay the message that Islam is timeless!”

Click here for more information.

Shaykh Yasir Qadhi explains Ilmfest

Baba Ali will be at Ilmfest 2009

“It was definitely one of the best AlMaghrib seminars… no… best EXPERIENCES of my life. I had been looking for an Eman Rush and I found an  Eman Eruption in this seminar”

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“This class changed my life, I really don’t know how else to put it. The material, the way it was taught, the atmosphere – it became one of those checkpoints or milestones in my life where I said to myself, “Ok, it’s time to change.”

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“I’d have to say that this is the best Almaghrib class I’ve ever taken.”

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“I could rave about this class for years.”

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“I can’t tell you how many times we all cried, our mouths dropped and we gave hugs to each other. If this class was a year round thing and was a million dollars, I would go. Definitely.”

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What can it be?

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ألا إن في الجسد مضغة إذا صلحت صلح الجسد كله، وإذا فسدت فسد الجسد كله ألا وهي القلب

“Truly in the body there is a morsel of flesh which, if it is sound, then the whole body is sound,  and if it is corrupt, then whole body is corrupt. Truly it is the heart.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

A Heart Serene: Studies in Tazkiyah

Coming to the LIGHTHOUSE

Oct 23-25, 30-Nov 1st

inshaAllah

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It was supposed to be a normal free Friday at Qabeelat Nurayn. At least that’s what everyone told him…..

1 WEEK BEFORE: Abdullah was just like any other Muslim born and raised in America- he enjoyed basketball, ice hockey, and the occasional round of croquet with the boys while gulping down a cold glass of Rooh Afza in the middle of the summer. But if there was anything he loved more than croquet, it was learning about Islam. And oh, how he loved it! He was a regular at the masjid, had more CD sets than he could keep track of, and his iPod only had lectures by people with the first name ‘Shaykh.’ Abdullah was no scholar, sure, but he was a person striving to learn about his religion.

One day, while at salatul jumuah, he came across a flier. The flier was brown in color and read ‘Torch Bearers’; intrigued- as he would be- he grabbed a few for him and his family. He rushed home, registered, paid, and found out about the AlMaghrib Forums. There, he discovered an ocean of people just like him! He read posts on a host of issues, and was able to access opinions of shuyukh, all at the convenience of his home. It was like a dream come true….or was it?

2 days before the class, a harsh reality sets in on Abdullah…….he has NO CAR!!!! How will he get to the class? In a desperate plea to find a ride, he contacts everyone he knows on a massive email with subject line: “I NEED A RIDE.” Only a handful of responses come back, all either apologizing for not being able to give him a ride, or laughing at his misfortune.

It’s finally Friday and Abdullah still keeps up hope. Surely someone would give him a ride. But as the clock ticks, the minutes pass like days, and hours like weeks. Agonizing over his dilemma, Abdullah feels helpless….and then, four hours later, the unthinkable has occurred:

Abdullah has missed all of the first Friday…Friday the 14th.

O’Nurayni and O’Nurayniiyah, (especially O’Nurayniiah because this scenario often happens to sisters), don’t let this happen to you or someone you know!

All you have to do is put your junk in your trunk and leave that extra seat for the brother or sister in need of a rideJ. They might be on your way, or a few turns away, but inshaAllah with the right intention, no curve or turn will go without the malkayn recording awayJ. So come on, sign up and help your peer in tawheed, and let your sister or brother in Islam experience the joy you’ve been waiting for—today!

Remember: “Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all.” –Prophet Muhammad Sallah Allahu Alyhi Wasalam [Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah]

Let’s work together to make sure that everyone who needs a ride gets one: Click HERE.

Jazakum Allahu khairan

0_O

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